Sparc Technologies to test photocatalytic water splitting prototype

Sparc Technologies Limited has announced to the ASX that Sparc Hydrogen, a joint venture between the University of Adelaide, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Sparc Technologies, has executed a Kick-Start agreement with the CSIRO to undertake on-sun testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) reactor at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales.

The prototype testing is due to be conducted in Q3 2023, which is in line with Sparc’s announcement to the ASX on 3 March 2023. The key aims of this work are to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of Sparc Hydrogen’s PWS reactor and provide valuable data and information for the subsequent piloting phase.

The PWS process is an alternative to producing green hydrogen via electrolysis, using only sunlight, water and a photocatalyst. Sparc Hydrogen’s patent-pending solar reactor is demonstrated to improve the efficiency of PWS to separate hydrogen from water using concentrated solar. Given lower infrastructure requirements and energy use, the ‘Sparc Green Hydrogen’ process has the potential to deliver a cost and flexibility advantage over electrolysis.

“Sparc is delighted to be working with our Sparc Hydrogen partners, The University of Adelaide, FFI and Flinders University, to undertake this testing with the CSIRO, in what we believe to be a world-leading demonstration of photocatalytic water splitting in a concentrated solar field,” said Sparc Technologies Executive Chairman Stephen Hunt. “Completion of this test work will be a significant milestone, not only for Sparc Hydrogen, but more widely for the advancement of photocatalytic water splitting, a next-generation green hydrogen production technology which does not require capital intensive electrolysers nor solar or wind farms.”

Prototype testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s reactor in real-world conditions is the culmination of more than five years of research and development work conducted by the University of Adelaide and Flinders University. Laboratory proof of concept has been successfully established whereby several lab-scale reactor prototypes have been developed and tested under simulated solar concentration.

Sparc Hydrogen schematic demonstrating combination of concentrated solar and photocatalytic water splitting. For a larger image click here.

The testing has shown a hydrogen production and efficiency benefit from exposing certain photocatalyst materials to concentrated light and heat. A high-power solar simulator has recently been acquired from the United States to continue to advance the laboratory work in parallel with prototyping and pilot plant development.

The CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle was identified as being an ideal facility to conduct the first on-sun testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s PWS reactor. The facility is home to Australia’s largest solar thermal research hub. The hub comprises a 30 m-high solar tower surrounded by 4000 m² of 451 locally manufactured, custom-designed mirrors (heliostats) and is capable of generating temperatures of up to 1500°C. The hub provides a platform that allows Australian researchers to develop, test and commercialise technologies which incorporate concentrated solar.

Sparc Hydrogen has received funding of $28,688 through the CSIRO Kick-Start Program to contribute towards the costs of the prototype testing. Kick-Start is an initiative designed to support innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses in accessing CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to foster growth and development. Sparc Hydrogen said it is “grateful for the opportunity to work with the CSIRO on this world-leading demonstration of PWS”.

Design of the prototype reactor module is complete and construction, including for the balance of plant, has commenced. Sparc Hydrogen is aiming to commence set-up of the prototype at the CSIRO in late July 2023 with results to be gathered over a period of approximately four weeks. A second round of testing later in the year will be considered pending results.

Top image: CSIRO solar tower.